Omaha Jitterbugs

- 201 S 24th St, Omaha, NE 68102

Omaha Jitterbugs is a truly unique point of interest in Nebraska, representing a vibrant and enduring non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the music and dances of the American Swing era. More than just a dance club, this organization is a thriving community that has been enriching lives and building connections in Omaha since 2000. Their core mission is to bring joy and community to the people of Omaha through the powerful connection of social swing dancing.

The essence of Omaha Jitterbugs is its social dance scene, characterized by a friendly, inclusive atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to participate. Their most popular weekly event, Jitterbugs' Night Out (JNO), is celebrated by locals for its welcoming environment. One long-time attendee noted, "Everyone is friendly and welcoming. A very safe space for everyone and is family friendly. There is always someone to dance with, no partner required." This core tenet—that you never need a partner to join the fun—makes it an ideal starting point for anyone curious about swing dancing, from teenagers to retirees.

The organization’s programming, which serves over 150 adults and children weekly, goes beyond entertainment. It is intentionally designed to improve mental and physical health, cultivate social skills, and foster personal expression, all through the powerful art form of vintage jazz and swing dance.

Omaha Jitterbugs hosts its main weekly social dance, Jitterbugs' Night Out, at the historic Eagles Ballroom. This location places it in the heart of Omaha, easily accessible to local enthusiasts and visitors from across the Nebraska region.

Physical Address: The organization's events are typically hosted at the Eagles Ballroom (upstairs F.O.E #38) located at 201 S 24th St, Omaha, NE 68102, USA.

The accessibility of the venue is complemented by various parking options, making attendance convenient for everyone:

• Free parking lot and on-site parking are generally available, offering an easy solution for event attendees.
• Paid street parking is also an option in the surrounding downtown Omaha area.

The atmosphere is consistently described as a "very safe space for everyone," reflecting the organization's explicit commitment to being LGBTQ+ friendly and a recognized transgender safespace. This dedication to inclusion ensures that all members of the Nebraska community feel valued, welcomed, and comfortable on the dance floor.

Omaha Jitterbugs provides a wide range of services centered around education, community, and the practice of swing dance and music:

• Weekly Social Dancing (Jitterbugs' Night Out): A high-energy, weekly Friday night event featuring DJ'd swinging music from the 1930s to the 1950s, running late into the night. It is a no-partner-needed, all-ages event.
• Beginner Dance Lessons: A mandatory lesson is often included before the main social dance, teaching introductory steps like Frankie's 8s (Beginning Lindy), making it easy for newcomers to get on the dance floor immediately.
• Ongoing Dance Classes: Structured classes for teens and adults across multiple skill levels, including Dean's 6's (Intro), Lindy Lab, and Invitational Int/Adv Lindy Hop, focusing on core styles like Lindy Hop, the main dance of the swing era.
• Youth Programs: Dedicated programs for young enthusiasts, such as "Junior Jitterbugs" for older children and "Itsy Bitsy: Early Childhood Classes" for ages 3-7, which introduces them to the music and movements of the Swing Era, often in partnership with other local arts groups.
• Live Music Events: Regularly hosting local and sometimes national jazz and swing musical acts throughout the year, adding an authentic, vibrant feel to the social dances.
• Major Annual Festival (Cowtown Jamborama): Organizing a multi-day jazz and swing dance festival that attracts dancers from across the region, featuring workshops with world-renowned instructors, live music, and intense dance parties and contests.
• Seasonal Outdoor Dancing (Lindy in the Park): Offering free social dancing events during the summer months at local Omaha parks, like the Gene Leahy Mall, to bring the joy of swing dance to the public in an open-air setting.

The most compelling features of Omaha Jitterbugs are deeply rooted in its community culture and dedication to the art form:

• No Partner Required Policy: This hallmark feature ensures that single individuals or those with partners who prefer not to dance can still fully participate, fostering a culture where asking anyone to dance is the norm, as attested by the customer reviews.
• Radical Inclusivity: Clearly and actively identifying as LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safespace, the organization provides one of the most welcoming and non-discriminatory social environments available in the Nebraska metro area.
• A Truly Intergenerational Community: While popular with the early 20s demographic, the social dances consistently see attendance ranging from teenagers to retirees, creating a unique and enriching cross-generational experience.
• Authentic Musical Experience: The commitment to playing "swinging music from the 30's to 50's," along with regularly featuring live jazz and swing bands, provides an immersive historical and musical experience.
• Non-Profit and Affordable Model: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Omaha Jitterbugs ensures its programming remains accessible and affordable to the Omaha community, with low admission prices for its weekly social dances.
• Focus on Social Connection: The organization intentionally focuses on the "social" aspect of dancing, emphasizing communication, community building, and finding joy, which many participants cite as "life-changing."

For class schedules, event details, or general inquiries about getting involved with the swing dance community in Omaha, please use the following contact details:

Address (Main Event Location): 201 S 24th St, Omaha, NE 68102, USA (Eagles Ballroom)

Phone: (855) 657-9464

Mobile Phone: +1 855-657-9464

Omaha Jitterbugs is worth choosing as your primary point of interest for dance, fitness, and social life in Nebraska because it offers a powerful combination of artistic preservation, physical activity, and deep community connection that is rare to find. You should choose Omaha Jitterbugs because:

• You Seek Genuine Community: The culture here is actively built on friendliness and connection. It’s a place where you will genuinely never get turned down for a dance and where lifelong friendships are formed across generations and backgrounds.
• You Want to Learn Socially: The inclusion of a beginner lesson before the main social dance means you can literally show up on a Friday night with no experience, take a brief, fun lesson, and be ready to enjoy the entire night of dancing.
• It is an Incredibly Safe and Welcoming Environment: For any Nebraskan seeking a guaranteed safe, inclusive space—especially members of the LGBTQ+ community—Omaha Jitterbugs is explicitly dedicated to making everyone feel comfortable and respected.
• It Offers Physical and Mental Health Benefits: Swing dancing is a fantastic, high-energy way to exercise, reduce stress, and improve mental sharpness. Attendees routinely describe the experience as an "epic, powerful, and even comical, way to release the worries and stresses of the week."
• It's an Affordable and Accessible Passion: As a non-profit, the low barrier to entry ensures that starting a new hobby or passion—one that improves health and social life—is accessible to nearly every resident in the Omaha metro area.

Omaha Jitterbugs

201 S 24th St, Omaha, NE 68102, USA